Vinyl building products extruder Ply Gem investing $15 million to expand in North Carolina

By: Michael Lauzon

April 11, 2013

CARY, N.C. -- Vinyl building products major Ply Gem Industries Inc. plans to expand its Fair Bluff, N.C., plant to the tune of $15.5 million over the next three years.

The expansion was announced April 10 by state officials who claim the project will add 145 jobs to Ply Gem's Fair Bluff workforce.

"Ply Gem's decision to grow in Columbus County will provide employment opportunities for an area that was hit hard by the recession," stated Sharon Decker, North Carolina's secretary of commerce, in a news release.

Ply Gem, based in Cary, N.C., had estimated vinyl profile extrusion sales of $598 million in 2011, according to data from Plastics News' pipe, profile and tubing survey. The firm makes a broad line of vinyl siding, trim, fencing, railing, windows and doors and stone veneer. Its total sales in 2011 were about $1.03 billion, according to the PN report.

"These new manufacturing jobs are a welcome and necessary step to improving the economy in Columbus County," stated North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory in a news release.

The government announcement estimated annual salaries of the new jobs will average about $45,730 plus benefits. Columbus County's current annual average wage is $31,605.

"Ply Gem is pleased to continue to expand our relationship with Columbus County and the Town of Fair Bluff," noted Ply Gem President and CEO Gary Robinette.

The project will be aided by a performance-based grant from One North Carolina Fund of up to $150,000. Several other government agencies and educational institutions are also helping Ply Gem's program.